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Apple tree

Alan4711Alan4711 Posts: 1,657
in Problem solving
Hi all, 9 monthes ago we inherited an apple tree looks like an eater of some kind which iv tasted and are a poor to soury sweet,anyway the pics will show the problem we have, at a guese the tree had around 500 apples of which we have hervested none !, at least 2/3 have fallen , the tree was choked with very old Clematis which iv cut at ground level and pulled about half out of the tree, the rest will be cleared in winter. Has anyone seen this before and can you advise of what you suggest we do. Pics not very good but every single apple is infected, I thought wasp grub but shorly not every apple, I havnt found any grubs inside apples as yet ? Lost on this one ?? many thanksAlan

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  • micearguersmicearguers Posts: 646
    Looks like brown rot to me. https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=114

    Minimise carry-over of the pathogens by removing and disposing of all brown rotted fruit promptly. To dispose of fruit, you can bury them at least 30cm (1ft) below the soil surface, or put them in the local council green waste (although check first as some councils will not accept large volumes of rotting fruit). Do not allow rotted fruit to remain on the tree.

    It overwinters in mummified fruit and infected twigs (so you need to be on top of that as well).

    It's a lot of work, I need to do this with our old Bramley apple tree. Perhaps additionally you can do some remedial pruning to clear congested areas, remove diseased, damaged, crossing branches et cetera. In my case I'm also reducing the extent of the tree, as its rain shadow is about 9 meters in diameter. Apples fall across that whole area including hard to reach places, so I have a regime of summer and winter pruning to tame the beast.
    Then there is general tree health; ideally no turf in the central half of its rain shadow (well, I'm making that up as a rule of thumb), not too much competition from nearby shrubs or trees. How is the general health of the tree, how does the bark look, does it have cankers in central places?
  • Alan4711Alan4711 Posts: 1,657
    Many thanks for your help matey, because this could be a big problem we have decided to get a surgeon in to investigate and cure or cut, as said the tree needs opening up and thinning very badly so proper job man needed, and many thanks for your help otherwise I was going to wait till next year and hope ,but not now ! so well done matey and thanks again, Alan,B
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